The Knights Templar History

By alex206336
  • Feb 9, 1070

    Birth of Hugues de Payen

    Birth of Hugues de Payen, the co-founder and first Grand Master of the Knights Templar.
  • Nov 16, 1095

    Pope Urban II announces the First Crusade

    Pope Urban II announced the First Crusade in an attempt to retake the city of Jerusalem as well as to halt the rapidly expanding Muslim armies.
  • Jun 25, 1099

    Jerusalem captured by the First Crusaders

    12 thousand infantry and 1,200 knights lead by Raymond of Toulouse stormed Jerusalem only being opposed by 400 cavalrymen and a somewhat sizable garrison of Muslim troops under the command of Iftikhar ad-Dawla.
  • Jul 4, 1100

    Order of St. John of Jerusalem was founded

    The Hospitaller order of St. John was founded in Jerusalem. It’s primary role was to care for the sick and wounded.
  • Feb 3, 1113

    Pope Pascal II approved the Knights Hospitaller of St. John

    Noticing the strategically advantage, Pope Pascal II approved of the Knights Hospitaller of St. John.
  • Jan 1, 1118

    Hughes de Paynes and Godfrey of Saint-Omer founded a religious organisation in an attempt to protect the Christian pilgrims.

    The first religious military order was formed as Hughes de Paynes and Godfrey of Saint-Omer along with 7 other knights became known as ‘The Poor Knights of Christ and the Temple of Jerusalem.’
  • Jan 1, 1119

    The official founding of the knights Templar

    The official founding of the knights Templar
  • Jan 16, 1120

    Council of Nablus founded

    The Council of Nablus an order of The Knights Templar was founded in the East.
  • Jan 1, 1126

    Hughes de Payens visited France

    Hughes de Payens visited France pursuing assistance from the Cistercian abbot, Bernard of Claivaux, in an attempt to obtain papal recognition.
  • Jan 1, 1127

    First meeting between Hugues de Payen and St Bernard de Clairvaux

    First meeting between Hugues de Payen and St Bernard de Clairvaux
  • Jan 1, 1127

    First meeting between Hugues de Payen and St Bernard de Clairvaux

    The Knights Templar’s rules were written and recognised under the assistance of Bernard. ‘The Latin Rule’ consisted of 76 articles of which Pope Honorius II accepted and recognised.
  • Mar 4, 1129

    Hugues de Paynes was elected as the first Grand Master

    Hugues de Paynes was elected as the first Grand Master.
  • Jan 1, 1130

    Large amounts of new recruits arrive

    When finished in Europe, Hugues de Payen travelled back to Jerusalem with a large force of new recruits.
  • Jan 1, 1136

    Hugues de Payen Succumbs

    Due to the death of Hugues de Payen, Robert o Caron is announced as the second Grand Master.
  • Jan 1, 1139

    Templars brought under papal authority

    Under Pope Innocent II, The Knights Templar was brought under papal authority meaning that they would be providing them with privileges and exemptions which allowed them to create an economic system which would finance their military campaign. The pope charged The Knights Templar with defending the Church against enemies of the Cross.
  • Jan 1, 1145

    Second Crusade

    Pope Eugenius III enforced new rules allowing The Knights Templar to have their own churches and priests. Furthermore The Knights Templar were authorised to have red crosses on their left breast of their tunics which would symbolise their willingness to die and fight for Faith.
  • Jan 1, 1150

    The Knights Templar secure their first castle

    The Knights Templar secure their first castle at Gaza
  • Jan 1, 1163

    'The Retrais et Etablissements de Temple’

    ‘The Retrais et Etablissements de Temple’ containing 675 articles were added to the Templar rules. Furthermore Pope Alexander III declared and recognised The Knights Templar as a Sovereign Authority.
  • Jan 1, 1187

    Crusaders defeated by Saladin

    Crusaders defeated by Saladin at the battle of Hattin which resulted in the loss of Jerusalem and over 200 Templars. In reaction Pope Gregory VIII called for the Third Crusade. King Richard the Lionheat sold Cyprus to The Knights Templar and to The Knights Hospitaller.
  • Jan 1, 1191

    Acre captured by the Crusaders

    Acre was captured and later became the Templar headquarters
  • Jan 1, 1244

    Battle of La Forbie

    The battle of La Forbie was a crushing defeat to The Templar.
  • Jan 1, 1250

    Battle of Mansurah

    Battle of Mansurah resulted in a horific Templar defeat
  • Jan 1, 1271

    The fall of Chastel-Blanc

    The Mamelukes Sultan captured the major fortress of the Hospitaller.
  • Jan 1, 1300

    The Templars change from a military order

    With no Crusader, the Templar’s questioned the continuation of a military order. Instead the Templars chose to become a agricultural and economic organisation, improving its wealth.
  • Jan 1, 1307

    The Persecution of the Order

    Philip IV of France and Edward II had amassed massive unpaid debts in which they owed to the Templar. They took the opportunity in turning rumours of the Templars corruption into fact. The Pope Clement V ordered an investigation which resulted in the arrest of all Templars in the Christian West.
  • Jan 1, 1311

    Templar Crisis

    The pope was forced to call a Church Council
  • Jan 1, 1312

    Templars Desmise

    The Council, in Vienne proved and concluded that the charges against the Order had been lacking evidence and merit. The Order was never found guilty of any charges. Pope Clement dissolved the Templars and gave all positions and property to the Hospitaller.